Chapter 1

Sitting in a sunlit corner of a Miami café and sipping a cup of strong black coffee Horatio Caine was about to dig in to a cinnamon bun when his cell phone went off. Damn, he thought. It's my first day of two weeks vacation. What does the brass want now?

But it wasn't the brass, or a call about a murder for his CSIs to jump on. The name on the phone sent his memory back to his junior year in high school. In his French class there had been a foreign exchange student, a very beautiful girl from England who was popular and intelligent. She was from the village of Scampton and was one of the most amiable people Horatio had ever met, the dream of every misfit and football jock in school. Her name was Tamsin Shaw and she used to tell Horatio about an old World War II airbase near her hometown as well as stories about the famous 617 Squadron…the Dambusters, who had at one time called that airbase home. In fact, so knowledgeable in their legend was she that Tamsin had acquired the nickname "the Dambusters Queen". Was she still living up to that title?

Horatio put the phone to his ear and said, "This is Horatio Caine."

Back came a soft female voice, a voice that sent jocks' and nerds' hearts a-flutter: "Well, well…Horatio Caine. I must admit that you're a tough man to find. I know you remember me…" He could almost see her wide and sparkling smile.

"I do remember you ma'am," he said as he smiled himself. "How're you doing, Tamsin?"

"Two children and a nasty divorce can make a woman feel like she's going mad but I'm all right," Tamsin replied. "How are you? Are you still living in New York?"

"No. I live in Miami, Florida now."

"Miami? Interesting…my cousin Jack lives there."

Horatio took a sip of coffee. "Are you still a Dambusters groupie, Tam?" he asked. She laughed. "You know me all too well Horatio," she replied. "I have a job as a guide at RAF Scampton now. That…is why I'm ringing you."

"I'm listening."

"Would you like to come to England and tour Scampton?" Tamsin sounded hopeful. "I will pay the fare of course."

Horatio paused. Calliegh, Eric, and Ryan were on vacation too. Would they like to go to England as well? After all the hard work they did in the lab they deserved a break. "That sounds good, Tamsin," he said. "Tamsin…"

"You wish to bring friends," Tamsin finished.

"You've read my mind," said Horatio. Tamsin chuckled.

"That sounds wonderful Horatio," she said. "How many? Two? Three?"

"Three."

"All right. I'll send you the tickets today…you should get them soon." Tamsin paused. "Maybe afterwards we can have a drink…after the tour. Catch up on old times?"

Horatio smiled in spite of himself. It was no secret in high school that Tamsin had a crush on him but that was years ago. Sure, like every other guy, he had thought she was some goddess fallen to Earth, but he had always considered her a friend. Still, he wouldn't mind a chance to see her again so a drink sounded good. "You're on," he said.

Tamsin laughed and said goodbye. Horatio set down his cell phone and sipped at his coffee thoughtfully. A trip to RAF Scampton seemed to be a worthwhile exertion but he sensed that there was another reason behind Tamsin's proposal…and it wasn't so she could hit on him. No, there was something else…

He finished his breakfast and paid the café owner before walking outside to call Eric.

"What's up H?" Eric asked. He was breathing heavily; he must've been out jogging.

"Eric, I need a favor," said Horatio. "I need you to call Wolfe and Calleigh…then you all need to meet me at my place."

"Sure, H…can I ask why?"

"I'll tell you when you get there," Horatio replied. "It's a surprise."

"A surprise?" Eric asked. "This ought to be good."

"You have no idea."

- - - - - -- - - - -- - - - - -- - - -- - - - -

Once Calleigh, Ryan Wolfe, and Eric arrived at Horatio's home and settled down with a drink Horatio sat down and told them about his conversation with Tamsin and that they were invited to go with him to England to visit RAF Scampton. His three CSIs looked at one another for a moment then they looked at him with smiles and nods.

"We're in," said Eric.

"Yeah!" chimed in Wolfe.

Horatio couldn't help but smile. "Good," he said. "Pack your bags, everyone…"

Plans were made and Wolfe just had to get the last word in: "This is awesome…we're going to England!"